To convert a WMA to text, send the file to the Potok bot on Telegram and read the transcript in the chat. You do not need to turn it into MP3 first. Files up to 2 GB are accepted, and you can export TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT or VTT.
Transcribe a recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram
Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- WMA is Microsoft's Windows Media Audio format.
- Older Windows voice recorders and some dictation devices save WMA files, so archives of dictation often hold many.
- Dictation devices sometimes write small, low-rate WMA files, which are fine for one clear voice.
- Some modern players no longer open WMA by default, which makes old files look unusable.
How to do it
- Collect the files. Copy the recordings from the dictation device or the old computer to a folder. Keep the original names, which often contain the date.
- Open the bot. Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram.
- Send each WMA. Attach them as documents, one per recording. A very large file, up to 2 GB, uses the Upload button.
- Wait for the text. A short transcript appears in the chat. A long one arrives as a file.
- Export and file by date. Save as TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT or VTT and keep the text next to the original recording.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Dear Mr. Hale, thank you for your letter of the fourth.
[00:06] Speaker 1: I am pleased to confirm the appointment for next Tuesday at ten.
Sample text written by us to show the layout of a transcript. It is not the output of the recognition engine and not a real recording.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| File size | Up to 2 GB |
| Export | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
| Languages | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| Translation | The transcript is not translated into another language |
| Dictation | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Converting the WMA to MP3 with a tool of unknown quality | A second lossy step damages the voice, and quiet words are lost. | Send the WMA as it is. |
| Assuming a file with no sound in your player is empty | The player may lack the WMA codec, while the file itself is fine. | Try another player before deleting the recording. |
| Mixing several dictations in one upload | The text runs together, and it is hard to see where one letter ends. | Send each dictation as a separate file. |
| Ignoring protected files | A WMA with copy protection may not play or send properly. | Use recordings you made yourself, which are not protected. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WMA file?
WMA is Windows Media Audio, a format made by Microsoft.
Where do I find WMA files?
Older Windows voice recorders and some dictation devices save them, and old music libraries also hold them.
Can I send WMA without converting?
Yes. Send it as a document or audio file and let the bot read it.
Why will my WMA not play?
Some players lack the codec. The file may still be fine, so try another player.
How large can the recording be?
Up to 2 GB, with the Upload button of the mini app for large files.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- Windows Media Audio (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Bit rate (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- MP3 (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Try it on your own recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram